Heritage laws were never intended to prevent the reasonable redevelopment of heritage- listed properties, however certain political groups who disrespect development, progress and property rights, have been abusing legislation by 'over-listing' properties of dubious or little heritage value. This was proven by the Productivity Commission and most recently by the Independent Expert Panel.
Pictures
Confrence Paper
People
The end results being you're forced to mimic traditional architecture and surrender modern design concepts. Some traditionalists (heritage extremists) need to remember it's traditional to progress.
Topping it all off, some councils are listing asbestos-ridden fibro houses, 'Californian' bungalows and absurdly buildings beyond repair. Amazingly, conflicts exist between asbestos needing to be disposed of and heritage needing to be retained, yet councils turn a blind eye to the Building Code of Australia, OH&S, BASIX and equitable access requirements all to favour heritage aesthetics/nostalgia.
Fortunately, the Productivity Commission (PC) report into heritage has come to the rescue of besieged property owners and recommended that heritage listings only take place subject to reaching negotiated conservation agreements. In the event that such cannot be reached, the governing body would be required to purchase the property at fair market value, or de-list it.
The Liberal Federal Government had backed this in principle, which is equitable and ethical. After all, why should owners surrender development rights and be perpetually lumbered with maintenance costs when the community gets the entire benefit?
More recently the NSW Government organised an Independent Expert Panel to review NSW's 30 year old Heritage Act. It made a number of positive recommendations based on it finding similar things to the PC report into heritage. It found that;
- "Of particular concern to the Panel are proposals to heritage list items as a means of blocking development"
- "Many listings have limited factual information to support their listing, leading to criticism that listings are often opportunistic rather than based on rigorous assessment"
- "Local council decision-making may be motivated by politics rather than being based upon an impartial professional assessment (of heritage items)"
- "The responsibility for assessing the impact development (has) on the heritage significance of a building should more appropriately rest with the council"
- And that "Planning incentives provide a valuable tool in encouraging owners and developers to retain and enhance local heritage items"
To find out more about Gary's heritage initiatives, download his ICTC Conference Paper titled "HERITAGE LISTING: OFTEN ALL A FAÇADE" (see link above). To see what prompted Gary's crusade against heritage extremists, click on the following link to Camperdown.
